Latest news with #GodSquad
Toronto Sun
12-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Church volunteer caged for sexually molesting son's friend, 13
Get the latest from Brad Hunter straight to your inbox Natalie Sorrells. A Texas church volunteer who sexually molested her son's 13-year-old buddy has been sent to prison for five years. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account This year, Mother's Day for Natalie Sorrells was held behind bars, after she was convicted of two counts of indecency with child sexual conduct. Sorrells, 46, was originally charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to cops, detectives began investigating when the victim's mother saw deleted texts between her son and Sorrells. In the missives, she called him 'babe.' Several weeks later, the boy confessed to his mom that Sorrells had sexually molested him. The incidents occurred in 2023 in Rockwall County, which is in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Besides membership on the God Squad, sex predator Natalie Sorrells sold real estate. Investigators conducted a forensic interview at the Rockwall Children's Advocacy Center. There, the boy told detectives about several instances where Sorrells touched him inappropriately. The victim said he and Sorrells had sexual contact on two occasions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One incident happened in her car after she picked him up from a football game, and the other was at her son's birthday party. During one of their trysts, Sorrells' hubby called his wife and asked point-blank if she was cheating on him. Sorrells sweetened the pot by buying cigarettes and booze for the victim and his friends. She was arrested in February 2024 and was jailed for six days before she posted bond. At the time of her arrest, Sorrells was a volunteer at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall. The church sent KDFW a statement saying the alleged abuse did not happen at a church event or on its property. The church said in a statement: 'We were informed last week that one of our volunteer youth workers was arrested for illegal sexual contact with a minor. While it is our current understanding that no inappropriate activity occurred on church premises, at any church event, and that the minor involved was not under the direct leadership of the volunteer, out of an abundance of caution we immediately informed Lakepointe parents, restricted the volunteer from any access to minors at the church and removed her from her volunteer position.' For each of her charges, the judge gave two-and-a-half-year sentences. Officials said Sorrells will spend a total of five years in prison. bhunter@ @HunterTOSun Toronto Maple Leafs Editorial Cartoons Sunshine Girls Health Sunshine Girls
Forbes
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
A Biologist Reveals 3 Species That Are Closer To Extinction Under The Trump Administration
As of early 2025, more than 1,300 species in the United States are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). For decades, the ESA has been the primary legislative tool for halting extinction, credited with preventing the loss of species ranging from bald eagles to black-footed ferrets. But recent developments have raised new concerns about how long that protection will hold. Since taking office earlier this year, the Trump administration has revived the rarely used Endangered Species Committee, informally known as the 'God Squad.' This committee holds the authority to override ESA protections when economic or public interest arguments are deemed compelling enough, even if such actions would knowingly lead to species extinction. The God Squad has historically been convened only in exceptional cases, with rigorous checks and scientific review. Under current orders, however, the committee is now being scheduled to meet regularly and has been tasked with identifying 'obstacles to domestic energy infrastructure.' At the same time, the administration has expressed support for a different kind of conservation model — de-extinction. Following Colossal Biosciences' recent announcement that it had produced the world's first dire wolf pups using gene-editing technologies, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum celebrated the moment as a turning point. 'Since the dawn of our nation, it has been innovation — not regulation — that has spawned American greatness,' Burgum wrote on X. 'The revival of the dire wolf heralds the advent of a thrilling new era of scientific wonder, showcasing how the concept of 'de-extinction' can serve as a bedrock for modern species conservation.' While the achievement is remarkable, it's important to note that the dire wolf genome reconstruction took years, and only three pups exist so far, all in captive care. (This also sidesteps the larger question of whether these animals are truly dire wolves or simply genetically engineered gray wolves.) Meanwhile, other species are facing extinction on a much shorter clock. What follows are three native animals whose future has grown significantly more uncertain under the current regulatory climate. Once believed extinct, the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is among the most remarkable recovery stories in North American conservation. Native to the open prairies of the Great Plains, these elusive, nocturnal predators rely almost entirely on prairie dogs for both food and shelter. Their fate, historically and still today, is tightly bound to the survival of their prey. By the late 1970s, habitat loss, widespread prairie dog eradication programs and outbreaks of sylvatic plague had pushed black-footed ferrets to presumed extinction. Then in 1981, a ranch dog in Wyoming unearthed a carcass that led to the last known population, which grew to about 130 individuals. When plague struck again, only 18 ferrets remained. From those few, a national recovery effort was launched, anchored by the National Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Center in Colorado. That painstaking work is now in jeopardy. Earlier this year, key staff at the center were terminated as part of broader federal cuts, and critical funding for plague mitigation in wild habitats has been frozen. Plague remains an ever-present threat, capable of erasing years of recovery in a single outbreak. Without the technicians who manage captive breeding and vaccination programs, and without support for tribal and field-based conservation, the species' hard-won gains are now vulnerable to rapid reversal. Once ranging from Texas to Pennsylvania, the red wolf (Canis rufus) is now reduced to a single fragile population in North Carolina's Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Slightly smaller and more slender than its gray cousins, the red wolf is a uniquely American carnivore and one of the rarest. Around 15 red wolves remain in the wild today. Decades of captive breeding and carefully managed reintroductions had sparked hope. By the early 2010s, around 120 individuals roamed northeastern North Carolina. But that recovery unraveled after regulatory protections weakened. Hybridization with coyotes, vehicle collisions and illegal shootings accelerated the decline. For several years, no pups were born in the wild. Conservation programs stalled, and federal agencies scaled back active management. One bright spot came with the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which allocated funds for wildlife crossings on highways like US 64, an artery notorious for red wolf road deaths. In 2023, North Carolina received a $25 million federal grant to begin constructing underpasses, backed by $4 million in additional funding. These structures could significantly reduce collisions and reconnect fragmented wolf habitat. But in early 2025, the Trump administration froze disbursement of the BIL funds, putting the project in limbo. Meanwhile, Colossal Biosciences has cloned hybrids of the red wolf with coyotes in an attempt to bolster their falling numbers, but this does little to address the cause of their decline. For a species already hanging by a thread, even short delays matter. Red wolves face not only ecological pressures, but administrative uncertainty. Without continued reintroductions, road protections and legal safeguards, one of America's most distinctive carnivores could vanish without a trace. Among the last echoes of an ancient avian lineage, the ʻakikiki (Oreomystis bairdi) clings to existence in the misty rainforests of Kauaʻi. Once ranging across the island, this small gray-and-white honeycreeper now survives only in the highest elevations of Kokeʻe and the Alakaʻi Plateau — areas increasingly under siege by invasive mosquitoes carrying avian malaria. A species that numbered in the hundreds as recently as 2018 now has less than 5 individuals left in the wild. Without decisive intervention, the ʻakikiki may vanish from its native forest within months. Captive breeding programs, launched with support from institutions like the San Diego Zoo, have preserved a genetically vital population of about 40 birds. Yet even this safeguard is vulnerable. Releasing lab-reared mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria to suppress wild mosquito populations is the most promising strategy to help these birds grow their population in the wild today. The operation was set to expand with funding from the BIL, but now faces uncertainty amid funding freezes. On Kauaʻi, the consequences are immediate. Field teams managing mosquito control, predator fencing and nesting site monitoring have been abruptly terminated. The abrupt layoffs of key personnel, including biologists at the Kauaʻi National Wildlife Refuge Complex, have left entire habitats unguarded. With each passing day of inaction, the challenges facing the ʻakikiki become more acute. As field operations are interrupted and conservation timelines stall, the few remaining birds in the wild continue to face mounting threats. And without sustained support, the window for meaningful intervention may soon begin to close. As more species move into the endangered list, how do you feel about the debilitating effects of climate change? Take a 2-minute test to see where you stand on the Climate Change Worry Scale.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Bad news for the Chesapeake Bay: It's getting hot
Global warming is increasing ocean temperatures at a rate that could have dire consequences for the largest estuary in the United States, according to a new study from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The study estimates the Chesapeake Bay area could have marine heat wave conditions for about a third of the year by the end of the century. That's an increase from the 22 days a year the bay now sees long periods of unusually high water temperatures. Specifically, the study focuses on estuaries — areas where freshwater meets salt water, such as the lower Chesapeake Bay. Researchers looked at estuaries across the U.S. to analyze trends in marine heat waves. These extended heat waves can have negative effects on local wildlife, especially if prolonged. That couild include mass mortality of local species, habitat loss, species migration and increased ocean stressors such as low pH and dissolved oxygen. Heat waves can critically disrupt essential processes in an ecosystem, according to VIMS. Piero Mazzini, a professor at VIMS and coauthor of the study, said the research should 'serve as a warning' for local leaders in charge of taking care of environmental assets. Environment | 'I've got fish on my roof': Fierce weather brings more than rain for Hampton man Environment | First national analysis finds America's butterflies are disappearing at 'catastrophic' rate Environment | Help could be on the way for Chincoteague water wells contaminated by PFAS Environment | Scientists raise concerns as the US stops sharing air quality data from embassies worldwide Environment | Trump wants to use the 'God Squad' to increase logging, but it must follow strict rules 'The Chesapeake Bay, for example, currently experiences marine heat wave conditions approximately 6% of the year — 22 days per year — and that is already placing stress on the ecosystem,' Mazzini said. 'Our study shows that estuaries across the East Coast could experience these conditions for more than 100 days of the year by 2100.' Estuaries serve as important nursery habitats for nearly 75% of all fish species and support more than 54 million jobs, according to the study. East Coast areas also were found to fare worse than the West Coast, where winds can churn cooler water toward the surface. A previous study from VIMS found the bay has warmed by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit, or about .07 degrees each year, since the mid-1980s. Hot summer days already bring problems with low oxygen, and heat excites oxygen molecules so they leave the liquid more easily. This results in 'dead zones,' areas where oxygen is removed faster than it can be replenished. Animals need healthy levels of oxygen in the water to survive. In 2024, environmental groups reported that the Chesapeake Bay dead zone was at a near-average size, but despite progress, officials still warn that the bay will not meet 2025 goals for restoration. If actions do not change, the study found that warming trends in climate are expected to persist throughout the 21st century, and some projections suggest that much of the open ocean could be in a 'near-permanent' marine heat wave toward the end of the century. The rise of sea-surface temperatures is a main driver of issues for estuaries, and environmental scientists are looking to reducing greenhouse gases and increasing tree canopy as potential solutions. Ricardo Nardi, lead author on the study, said open ocean temperatures have a long history of being studied, but estuaries are often overlooked. Longer heat wave conditions could have 'disastrous ecosystem consequences,' so more research is needed to understand how conditions in the ocean and estuaries affect each other. 'These are critical ecosystems, and future conservation efforts will depend on our understanding of the factors influencing them,' Nardi said. Eliza Noe,
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
7 reasons this festival is what you want to do this weekend
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The 29th Annual Honolulu Festival is Hawaiʻi's premier Pacific Rim cultural event. It kicks off on today, March 8 and runs through Sunday, March 9; and it's offering a day full of exciting cultural performances, workshops and food experiences. 10 facts about Kelly Slater's $16.5M Hawaiʻi North Shore home for sale Throughout the day, you and your friends and family can enjoy a wide range of activities, from performances by over 90 cultural groups to interactive workshops. Whether you're interested in traditional music, hands-on experiences or simply enjoying Japanese delicacies, the Honolulu Festival has something for everyone. 1. There are cultural performances across three locations: The festival features 91 cultural groups, a significant increase from last year, performing traditional music and dance from Japan, the Pacific Rim and Hawaiʻi. Performances will take place at the Hawai'i Convention Center, Waikīkī Beach Walk's Plaza Lawn on Lewers Street and Ala Moana Center's Center Stage to offer a variety of shows for all ages. 10 things to know about the 'God Squad': How it impacts Hawaiʻi 2. There are sushi-making workshops: A new addition this year is the Sushi to Me workshop that is offering participants the chance to learn the art of sushi-making from a renowned chef at Sushi Ginza Onodera Hawaiʻi. These hands-on workshops will take place at the Hawai'i Convention Center Exhibit Hall at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Participation is free but limited to the first 100 attendees.3. Sake and Food Fest: For food and drink lovers, the Sake and Food Fest is a must-experience event. This expanded exhibit in the Hawai'i Convention Center Exhibit Hall offers samplings of Japanese alcohol, including sake, shochu and awamori (for adults 21 and older). Explore more shops and foods from Japan and enjoy the flavors of the Pacific Rim. 10 alternatives to an expensive night out with friends: Hawaiʻi budgets 4. Ennichi Corner: Families with keiki can visit Ennichi Corner. It's a special exhibit designed for keiki to enjoy cultural games, crafts and activities. It's a fun way for children to engage with Japanese traditions while learning about the culture. 5. Trade show and art market: Explore more than 200 booths at the Hawai'i Convention Center Exhibit Hall, where you'll find multicultural exhibits, local crafts, artwork and unique snacks from Japan. It's a great chance to shop for one-of-a-kind items and learn about different cultures. 6. Bon Dance: Experience the tradition of the Bon Dance, Hawaiʻi's first of 2025, with two performances in the Hawai'i Convention Center Exhibit Hall: 12–12:15 p.m. and 2:20–2:35 p.m. The Bon Dance is a popular event that invites everyone to join in and celebrate the cultural traditions of Hawaiʻi. Admission is free; click to reserve your spot(s). 7. Japanese Film Festival: For film enthusiasts, the Japanese Film Festival will showcase internationally acclaimed films on the third floor of the Hawai'i Convention Center. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free, and you can find the full schedule of films online. The 10 most spoken languages in Hawaiʻi The Waikīkī Grand Parade will be on Kalākaua Avenue at 4:30 p.m., and the Nagaoka Fireworks Show begins at 8:30 p.m. Following a second day of cultural performances, exhibits and activities, the 29th Annual Honolulu Festival comes to an exciting conclusion on Sunday, March 9, with the magnificent Waikīkī Grand Parade that runs along Kalākaua Avenue. The parade begins at 4:30 p.m., and the spectacular Nagaoka Fireworks Show above Waikīkī Beach begins at 8:30 p.m. The festival begins at 10 a.m. and goes through to 6 p.m. It is taking place across three locations in Honolulu: the Hawai'i Convention Center, Waikīkī Beach Walk's Plaza Lawn on Lewers Street and Ala Moana Center's Center Stage. This year's theme, 'Bridging Cultures, Together for a Peaceful Tomorrow,' highlights the festival's mission to promote cultural exchange and understanding through art, food and community engagement. The 29th Annual Honolulu Festival is supported by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, the City and County of Honolulu and generous corporate sponsors. You can click for more information on the festival. You can follow up to minute updates via their pages on and . Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 It's an event that brings the community together to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Rim. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
10 things to know about the ‘God Squad': How it impacts Hawaiʻi
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The God Squad is a special committee that has the power to decide whether to allow federal projects to move forward even if they might cause the extinction of an endangered or indigenous species. The Endangered Species Committee, colloquially known as the 'God Squad' was created by Congress in 1978 as amendments to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The Associated Press reported that the President of the United States intends to utilize the God Squad to initiate deforestation of national protected lands. So, did a bit of digging and found these 10 facts to know about the God Squad:Members: The committee includes high-level government officials, such as: The Secretary of Agriculture. The Secretary of the Army. The Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. The Administrator of the EPA. The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). One appointed representative from each affected state. What it does: The Endangered Species Committee's purpose is to review special requests to allow actions that might harm endangered and/or indigenous species, even if the ESA protects them. How it decides: Decisions require that at least five members of the committee must agree that: There are no other good options to avoid harming the species if there is a significant amount of money to made. The financial benefits of the action are greater than the harm to the species. The action is important financially for the country or region. No one broke the rules by harming the species before approval was given. Helping the species: If an exemption is granted, the group responsible must help the species by protecting its habitat, moving animals or doing other conservation work. Permanent exemptions: Once a species is granted an exemption, the order remains in effect unless one or both of the following occur: A new species is found to be in danger. The Secretary of Defense decides a species needs to have its exemption negated for reasons of national security. Public involvement: The committee has the ability to: Involve the public by asking for people to send in written opinions. The committee can also hold public meetings in which people can share their thoughts, data, cultural information, etc…. Meetings and voting: There must be at least five members of the committee present for a meeting to take place and only government-based committee members can vote while the state representatives must all share a single vote. However, these meetings are open to the public. Special powers: The committee has the power to do enact the following: They can ask federal agencies for information that will help with their decision(s). They can require witnesses to testify if needed. The committee members can make rules to help the committee do its job. History: Over the years since its creation, the God Squad has rarely met. As a matter of fact, they have only met a few times in the last 47 years of the committee's existence. Exemption authority: The committee has the power to allow a project to continue despite harming an endangered species but only under strict conditions. You can click to learn more about the EPA. You can click to read the legislation that created the God Squad. You can click to read the Associated Press article. The God Squad has never dealt with an issue that is specifically related to Hawaiʻi. But we do have four national parks/forests: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Haleakalā National Park. Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. Ka'ūpūlehu National Forest. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established during Richard Nixon's presidency in 1970. Following this in 1973, Congress created the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It was believed that our ecosystems provide 'esthetic, ecological, educational, recreational and scientific value to our nation and its people.' This act was created to protect North American indigenous plants and animals that were/are at risk of extinction due to deforestation and other destructive environmental endeavors. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who oversee land and freshwater animals, and the National Marine Fisheries Service, who oversee sea animals like Hawaiʻi's monk seals and honu (turtles), work to fulfill the mission of the ESA. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
